61 Blacktop Obsession
"Kadiyn, what do you think about this?" Hector asked, looking on the IPad. It was almost midnight and they were still sitting around the bonfire, quietly talking and relaxing. "Kaidyn?" He asked, nudging her.
"She's out." Tej nodded.
"I am shocked she was able to fight it this long." Han stretched, poking at the fire to keep it going.
"Guess you are stuck there now, Hector." Roman laughed.
"Yeah, I am. But at least it's nice out tonight." Hector smiled, handing Han the IPad. "She shopped her little heart out once she started to feel better." He laughed, smoothing her hair down.
"Yes, she gets that from Shayde." Han joked.
"Hey, I take offense to that. I do not shop a lot." Shayde looked at her watch.
"You're right, you don't shop. You order... a lot." Han nodded at her, knowing her play on words was a game for her.
"Yeah, yeah." She laughed. "Tej, Roman, you guys look tired as hell." Shayde noted.
"I am tired. I have been following Bullit around all day. I am beyond wiped." Tej admitted.
"I am in a food coma, Homie." Roman admitted.
"You guys can go to bed. Han showed you the rooms earlier, right?" Hector asked.
"Yeah, you gonna be good with her out here?" Tej asked, looking toward the trees. He knew Shayde was about to leave with Brian and Han.
"Yeah, I am just gonna sit here and not move an inch until she wakes up. Which won't be too long. I am sure I got maybe an hour, tops." Hector laughed.
"If you are sure. I can chill out here if needed, I don't mind." Tej promised.
"Go. You're good." Hector promised.
"Hector will call you if he needs you. Brian, did you make sure your new team knows who Tej is in case you are not around and he needs to make a call?" Han asked.
"Yes, they know he's back up." Brian nodded.
"They have my number, we had them test it." Tej added.
"I still can't believe you are calling them my team. I just took over today. It was very unexpected." Brian grinned.
"Tell me about it." Shayde remarked, shaking her head. "You boys go to bed, we gotta go." Shayde got up and grabbed her knife she had been using to drag in the sand to kill time.
"Catch you guys tomorrow." Tej nodded, heading inside.
"You riding with me or Brian?" Han asked, looking at Shayde.
"Oh, his highness has declared that I should only take one truck to the beach and that I cannot be alone with either of you." Shayde shrugged, sounding bored and annoyed.
"I am sure he had his reasons." Han shrugged, getting out the keys to the truck, knowing full well they were most likely still being listened to.
"One truck makes no sense because I ordered too much for even two trucks but whatever, I will be a good wife and do as I am expected." Shayde sighed dramatically, getting in the truck. Brian started to help her and she frowned at him. "I don't need your help." She growled.
"I forgot. You don't need help. My apologies." Brian said with a yawn, backing up to give her some space. They were quiet as they rode to the beach.
"Okay, scrambler activated!" Shayde smiled, acting like she was a superhero and being funny.
"You are something else tonight." Han laughed.
"Sorry, Brian. I am just making sure he knows we are not getting too close. It's just an act, I promise. He's done this shit to me before." Shayde explained.
"It's no problem. I understand." Brian nodded.
"I appreciate you taking the job as head of security. I'll try to be nicer after Carter gets the point I have to get over you shooting him." Shayde promised. "We got to get you more practice time at the gun range." She shook her head.
"What? Why?" Brian asked.
"You could have made my life much better if you had just got him in the heart." She wished out loud.
"Yeah, I wasn't shooting to kill. I woulda if I had known the story back then though." Brian promised.
"So you missed on purpose? That's good to know." Shayde nodded. "That makes me feel a bit better." She said, ready to get to the boat.
"Trust me, I can hit a target but practice is never a bad thing." Brian grinned.
"I agree. That's why I ordered lots and lots of ammo." Shayde smiled with satisfaction. "Hopefully your new boys won't be stupid and try to blow the boat up." Shayde growled.
"Carter warned them too because he said if this boat was to blow, so would the compound." Brian looked at them.
"So he has to have stuff planted around then." Shayde surmised. She gave Han a concerned look.
"Nothing we didn't already suspect." Han shook his head but had a sinking feeling from what Brian just confirmed.
"I have warned them that the boat is coming and we are good there, but how does Carter trust this boat coming in and who is on it? He seems like he won't just let anyone come to this place." Brian observed.
"It's my cousin Shadow that is coming to bring my weapons. Carter didn't tell you?" Shayde asked, looking at Han.
"He told me someone was bringing them but not who or what to expect." Brian nodded.
"Sounds right." Han nodded.
"He has something up his sleeve, I know he does. There's a reason he wouldn't let us take that second truck." Shayde fretted out loud.
"Wow, it's so dark out here, will we be able to see the boat if one comes up?" Brian asked.
"Do you know anything about her cousin Shadow, Brian? He literally moves in the shadows." Han laughed.
"No, I don't know who that is. That's interesting." Brian squinted, looking at the ocean water. Han gave Shayde an amused grin and a nod.
"I can't see a damned thing. Surely if they are traveling they have to have a light on the boat, right?" Brian asked.
"Let's see, a boatload full of explosives and weapons, coming to a compound run by a psycho possessive drug lord. I don't know. I may not use my lights either. You disappoint me, Detective O'Connor." Han shook his head in disappointment. Brian reached over Shayde and punched him playfully.
"Man, that's messed up." Brian laughed.
"The boat's already here. Hurry up, get out." Shayde pushed Brian out, eager to get to the shore. "Hope you brought your swim trunks." She called over her shoulder.
"What the hell is she talking about?" Brian asked Han.
"Oh, well, we are going to swim to the boat and ride it back here. We are testing a few things. Just swim and come on. It's not too far." Han said, taking off his shoes and pants.
"I am not sure I am the man for this job." Brian laughed, following him.
"Funny, Shay was already in swim clothing. It's almost like she knew she was going to be swimming." Han nodded with a laugh. He took the phone and things out and left it on his shoes.
"Yeah, I am not prepared like you guys are. I am going to hope I don't drown in clothing." Brian muttered, wading in the water.
"Hope you left the walkie and the phone back there." Han said, shaking his head.
"I did." Brian promised.
"Did you take off the comm?" He asked.
"No, I was told by Shayde to not take it off no matter what and to keep it hidden under my hair at all times." Brian said.
"Don't let your head get wet then. And good, glad you know how to listen to instructions." Han called over his shoulder. "Glad you can swim." He nodded. They watched Shayde climb the boat and get pulled up by Shadow.
"Hey, I am glad you made it." Shadow gave her a hug. Hawk came up to Shayde and put a towel around her.
"Do you think we can trust him for sure?" Hawk asked, looking out at the water.
"I feel like we can and Han does too. We talked about it. Slow down the boat, we have way too much to tell him before we get to shore." Shayde nodded, wiping the dripping water off of her face.
"How far back is he? You sure he can swim?" Shadow grinned.
"I didn't ask. Don't all cops know how to swim?" She bit her lip, realizing she should have probably asked him beforehand.
"That's my girl." Shadow laughed.
"You have all the signal blockers on, right? There's no way he can be recording out here, right?" Shayde looked at Hawk, just wanting to double check.
"Yes, we are good." Hawk promised with a nod as Han climbed on the boat. "Hey Han. I got you a surprise." He grinned.
"If it's not my favorite chips, I don't want it." Han laughed. Hawk threw him a bag and Han grinned.
"Do I know you or do I know you?" He asked with a smile.
"You are the man. Thanks." he nodded, opening them.
"You sure the cop came swimming with you?" Shadow asked, waiting to see Brian.
"I told him to keep his head out of the water to protect the comm because he didn't take it off like someone told him to keep it in. I just failed to tell him it was waterproof." Han grinned innocently.
"You guys prank too much. All three of you be acting crazy like that." Hawk laughed with a grin.
"Gotta have fun while we can. Get it how you live it, right?" Shadow grinned.
"Hey, can I get some help?" Brian asked, getting on the ladder. Hawk walked over to him and pulled him up.
"Welcome to the boat, merman." Hawk joked.
"Um, hello. Who are you?" He asked, looking around for Han and Shayde.
"Stop playing, you know who I am." Hawk laughed.
"No, I really don't. Have we met before?" Brian asked, looking like he was confused.
"Told you he was good." Han nodded, leaning on the door frame, popping a chip in his mouth.
"Brian, Brian, Brian, we need to talk about how you are working for Carter." Shadow frowned, pulling out his gun. "Head of security, no less. Love how you just slid up in there, trying to fuck my cousin over. It's been what, two days?" Shadow circled Brian as he played with the gun.
"I am not on Carter's side. How do you know my name?" Brian asked, holding Shadow's gaze.
"Brian, you're good. Impressive, really." Shayde smiled.
"Hawk, take him downstairs." Shadow ordered, loading the bullet chamber with bullets.
"What? No! You have the wrong idea. Are you Shadow? Carter said you'd be coming but he didn't tell me anything else." Brian's eyes widened, feeling like he was about to be murdered. He didn't want Han to know they had already met so he wasn't going to act like he knew them.
"Oh, I know you and Carter are verrrry tight. Hawk, take him down stairs now. We don't want to alarm security." Shadow grinned, winking at Shayde. "Shayde, you have the silencer, right?" He asked.
"Come on, let's go." Hawk grabbed him. Brian sighed, shaking his head.
"You are making a big mistake if you do this. I am trying to help." Brian held up his hands as he got ready to go without a fight.
"See you soon." Shadow waved, mocking Carter's accent.
"Hawk, listen, man, they got this wrong. I am trying to help. Swear to God!" Brian whispered as Hawk took him downstairs by the collar. Hawk turned away to hide his grin. Brian looked miserable and was starting to sweat. He decided he would be nice and help him relax.
"You are all three wet. We are all going downstairs so you can warm up and not be seen. SO dramatic. Relax." Hawk laughed, patting him on the back.
"What? Are you fucking with me?" Brian asked, shaking his head.
"Yes, now sit down." Hawk nodded. Shadow and Shayde came down and was followed by Han.
"What's my name? Do you remember me?" He asked, looking at Brian as they all sat down at a table.
"No. I haven't met you. I assume you are her cousin." Brian stared at him. Shadow paced for a second and walked over to Shayde, grabbed her and kissed her for a long minute. Brian looked down, fiddled with his hands and shifted uncomfortably.
"Wow, you're not gonna say anything, Brian?" Han asked, shocked that Brian was quiet.
"What do you mean?" Brian asked, not looking up. He wasn't going to give away anything with his facial expressions.
"Damn, I'll say it. You aren't worried I am kissing my cousin?" Shayde asked, folding her arms.
"Not my place to ask questions." Brian said, still not looking up at anyone as he stared at a spot on the table.
"I am not her cousin." Shadow said simply.
"What?" Brian asked, looking up at everyone confused.
"You can drop the act. Han knows you already met us. We just wanted to make sure you wouldn't tell anyone and break your word." Shadow advised him.
"Wait, what?" Brian asked, dumbfounded.
"Get comfy, Brian. We have a lot of info to tell you and not much time to do it in." Shayde got up and went to sit on Shadow's lap, putting her arms around him. Brian's mouth dropped open.
"I am not her cousin. It's a long story." Shadow repeated.
"Everything is not as it always seems, Brian." Han nodded. "Can we trust you to not say anything to Carter and not slip up?" Han asked, looking at Brian. He nodded. "It's literally life or death for Kaidyn and Shayde if you do." Han warned.
"You can trust me, that's why I am here. I was working with Dom to help. I'm all in." Brian promised.
"You look so shook." Shayde laughed. "I promise I'm not a cheating whore." Shayde promised.
"I didn't think that at all. I'm sure you have your reasons, it's not for me to judge." Brian shook his head, assuring her that wasn't at all what he was thinking.
"Then why are you so shocked?" Shayde asked, intrigued.
"Wow, to be honest I really thought you were with Hawk." He grinned.
"Oh god no." Shayde shook her head, looking disgusted.
"That's very rude." Hawk pointed out.
"He's nothing more than Shadow's associate." Shayde waved it off as she explained.
"Yeah, I'm nothin. I get it." Hawk pretended to be hurt at her words.
"Shut up or I'll make sure you never have any hawklets." Shayde threatened.
"Not like they'd turn out smart if I did." Hawk muttered and rolled his eyes. Shadow laughed at that.
"You can say that again. They would echo how you were growing up, I'm sure." Shayde shook her head. "Brian, I just couldn't let you think I was with Shadow because of the cousin thing." Shayde explained. "That night in the hospital I needed to talk to Hawk about things and I knew Shadow wanted to see Kaidyn so it worked out better the way we did it." Shayde explained.
"That's very smart. You had me thrown off." Brian grinned.
"I'm always trying to think ahead before I make any decisions." She admitted.
"I see. But how does Carter think he is your cousin if he is not your cousin?" Brian asked, rubbing his head.
"Easy. My dad lies. He's an awful person, Brian. I am sure Han told you some of the story. How awful he is. He also killed Shadow's family when he was 8. He decided to keep Shadow to help me have someone to train with because Shadow showed so much potential. Over the years, people assumed he was family and it looked better for my dad to call him a cousin rather than an orphan whose parents he killed. My dad has never corrected Carter." Shayde explained. "He's not going to because it will make him seem like a weaker link versus if he's Vega blood." Shayde played with Shadow's hair.
"I am the only one Carter thinks that can 'control' Shayde. I am the go between Carter and her dad." Shadow explained, using air quotes for the word control.
"No one can tame that crazy…" Hawk started.
"Finish that and there will be no chance of any hawklets." Shayde promised, narrowing her eyes.
"My point exactly." Hawk nodded with a grin. Shayde picked up a water bottle and threw it at him, making them all laugh.
"So many questions." Brian admitted.
"Well, you got so little time so let's get them out there." Han leaned back and motioned for him to ask.
"But you were given to Carter at age 14, how did you get to stay with Shadow if Carter was there?" Brian asked, feeling so bad for Shayde.
"Per my contract, I had to go to protect Carter and when I wasn't on a job, I had to come back home and train. My dad would have say over how long I could be gone. All the other times, I was to be with Shadow and training. We were shot, stabbed, beat, drugged and left alone a lot of times to get each other through it. We were dropped off in the middle of nowhere with nothing but each other to survive. We grew close. It was hard when I had to leave but I knew I loved Shadow even when I had to be with Carter." Shayde explained.
"That had to be so hard. I can't imagine." Brian said, shaking his head.
"It's very hard. It's even harder knowing I can't just be free to be with the person I love." Shayde said softly.
"But why can't you?" Brian asked.
"It's very complicated." Han explained. " Her dad kills people on a whim. He has made her kill almost all the people she's close to. Do you think she could just come out and say they are together when her father already sold her to protect Carter? Hell, he never had plans of Carter marrying her. Her dad never wanted her married. Shayde and Shadow thought her being with Carter would be temporary and she'd be back to be able to be with Shadow but both those bastards had other plans." Han explained.
"I knew I loved her from the first day I was there and I had given up on life. She wouldn't let me. She saved me that day. Worst and best day of my life to be honest. As we got older, I just realized I would have to wait for her to get free. As the years have gone on, we have found ways to get past the hard times. We are ready to fight for her freedom." Shadow explained.
"There's a lot more to it but Kaidyn getting hurt was a big change of plans and it delayed things. But my dad is threatening to make me come back home and Carter of course wants to keep me. We are hoping they will take each other out and I will get free." Shayde explained, laying her head on Shadow's chest as he wrapped his arms around her.
"So is the goal to create a war?" Brian asked, rubbing his head, trying to understand it all.
"NO, not a war. Just enough to make them go after each other. We just need one of two threats taken care of. We can't keep Kaidyn safe with them both out there." Shadow explained.
"And you are okay with Kaidyn being Carter's daughter?" Brian asked, not sure if he was asking the right questions.
"I am okay with her being Shayde's. I love her like she's my own." Shadow admitted.
"That's good. She's easy to love, she's a sweetheart." Brian smiled.
"Yes, she wraps people around her finger really well." Shayde smiled proudly.
"She collects people just like her momma does." Han grinned.
"So, If I am understanding, you can't leave Carter because Dante will come after you and then Han said we'd all be killed. But if you stay with Carter you can't be free to live as you choose. And the way Carter's going, it's not looking good that way either, am I right?" Brian asked, trying to understand it all.
"Unfortunately, you are correct. I am not liking how he is with Kaidyn. This is not the Carter I left. I am really worried things are about to get worse." Shayde admitted.
"Well, the more people you have helping, it's good, right?" Brian asked, looking at the glance Shayde and Shadow gave each other.
"It's good but you know how many men he has, just think Dante has ten times that and a fortress that is built for torture and is impenetrable. Dante is the bigger threat." Han advised.
"So what can I do to help?" Brian asked, looking at Shayde and feeling bad for how sad she looked.
"Keep your word and stay in character, know that Shayde is doing what she feels is needed. I know she slammed you today but it was to keep Carter from being suspicious of you." Han explained.
"Did I hurt you, Brian?" Shayde asked.
"I have a bit of a bruise but nothing major." Brian grinned.
"Please don't show that to Carter, we don't need him to know how strong I can be. I try to calculate every move I make and I want to seem crazy, unhinged, angry and keep him on his toes. I also don't want him to know how strong I can be. I could easily kill him in his sleep but I know he has things in place if I was to do that he would blow up this whole place. That's why I need you to scope out things you can see." Shayde explained.
"That's why you got me the head of security job." Brian nodded.
"Now he's getting it." Han laughed.
"I have a bag for Tej and if you guys can scan for mics and cameras in the safe rooms, gun ranges, Kaidyn's room. The boys's rooms. And Shayde's weapons room, that will help." Shadow advised, handing him a bag.
"Can this get wet?" Brian asked, making them all laugh.
"Your comm is waterproof. You can get it wet. Han was fucking with you. And we will be on shore soon." Shadow laughed.
"So on this comm, can Carter's men pick up anything on it? Is the tech guru listening to the conversation all the time?" He asked.
"Our tech guru is busy and has her hands full at this time but she is recording things and getting things set up and observing. She's not listening for your conversations unless it's something to do with Carter." Shadow explained.
"No one knows that Shadow is not my cousin, Brian. I need you to not tell anyone, please. I have given you three all different secrets to keep. I will know if you guys give up those secrets but I am really hoping I can trust you guys. I know it's a lot to take in but Kaidyn really deserves to have someone on her side to help us get through this." Shayde said, as if she were pleading.
"You all deserve better than you have had to deal with." Brian said as he looked at Shayde and Shadow.
"These next few weeks are going to suck but I just really need your help making sure Kaidyn is okay. I may have to disappear a lot. She's good at picking up on my emotions and can read people pretty well so I will need you and your boys to help keep her distracted. I feel like Carter's gotten worse. I need to figure out what traps he has set up and what his fail safes are." Shayde chewed in her lip, deep in thought.
"Fail safes?" Brian asked, betting he didn't want to hear this answer.
"He's got things set up to keep her from leaving. We just have to figure out what they are and how to get around them." Han nodded.
"Yeah, he's a psychotic bastard." Shadow grumbled.
"Tej saw some things that definitely worried us. I'll have him find a way to talk to you." Brian nodded.
"In that bag is a scrambler for you and Tej. I need you guys to only use it as needed and out of camera view. No mentioning me or anything we told you tonight." Shadow reminded him.
"I got you. Tej and Rome are trustworthy too. You can count on them." Brian promised.
"See, I told you he was the right person for this job." Han smiled as he ate another chip.
"Yeah, you did. We appreciate everything you are doing." Shadow shook Brian's hand.
"It's not a problem." Brian promised with a nod. "I am glad you guys are trusting me and not killing me." He laughed.
"Well, we will kill you if we have to but time will tell." Shadow joked with a smile.
"Hey, we are almost on shore." Hawk came down the stairs. Han looked at Brian.
"Come on, let's give these two some alone time before we get there." Han nodded.
"So she really did order 750 K worth of weapons?" Brian could be heard asking as they headed up the stairs.
"Poor Brian. We might have broken his blonde brain." Shayde laughed, kissing Shadow.
"Yeah. We could have." Shadow held her close and kissed her lovingly. He drew in a breath, loving her smell of perfume and smiled, resting his head on hers.
"I don't know how we are going to get through this, Shadow. He's worse than he ever was before. I hope we made the right move." Shayde admitted with a tired sigh.
"We did. We ran through all the scenarios." He assured her.
"He's constantly watching Kaidyn and I just don't know. I am worried about how he is going to treat her, Shadow." Shayde admitted.
"I'm worried how he's going to be with you. Right now, he's not interacting with her because of her condition. If she continues to have issues, he won't be around her. It's you, I am worried about." Shadow lifted up Shayde's chin and looked her in the eyes.
"I just have a bad feeling how he is going to be. He didn't care what I bought or spent but the minute I bought things for Kaidyn he had a fit." Shayde sighed.
"He doesn't care if it's for you because he's obsessed with you. I am trying to get him to get my contract here as soon as possible so I can be here. The more you act out, the more he will need to call me since your dad says I am the only one who can handle you." Shadow smiled proudly.
"Yes, I am trying my best. I took out a 112 last night. Less than a dozen during the day. He will need you sooner than later." She promised with a worried smile.
"Well, it's gonna be a little bit later. He said we can stay two days if I can control your crazy ass." Shadow grinned.
"You get to stay? For two days?" She asked, her mouth dropping open. He grinned and nodded.
"That's why I need my crazy girl to keep being crazy." He grinned and pulled her close to him.
"Just having you around is going to give me more reason to keep going. I miss your smile and eyes so much when you're not around." Shayde confessed as she stared into Shadow's deep blue eyes.
"I miss you so much too." He murmured. "The madness is just crazy madness." He kissed her between each word.
"I'd love to trade your madness for my chaos." Shayde admitted, kissing him back.
"I'd just love it if we could just be together and just be. One day, Snow, one day it's gonna happen." He promised, holding her tightly. Snow was her middle name only he used. "I won't stop until we get your freedom." He vowed.
"I wish we could just run away and leave everyone." Shayde admitted with a contented sigh.
"I know, I do too. But with God's eye out there and with both of their resources, we both know running isn't an option. Maybe if Kaidyn didn't need so much medical attention." Shadow sighed, kissing the top of her forehead as he rocked her gently to the waves in the boat. He sighed, wishing he could take away all of her pain and sadness. He wanted nothing more than for her to be happy and not have to feel like someone's property.